Combining online and in-person education improves learning– Anant Agarwal

Rather than an exclusive MOOCs model, why are you pitching for a blended model where the online learning experience and the advantages of having an instructor in the physical classroom are clubbed?
At edX, we are trying to revolutionise the world of education and improve both online and on-campus education. Our aim is to increase access to learning to people around the world who do not have access to a quality education. We partner with some of the best universities in the world, such as MIT, Harvard, Georgetown, Tsinghua from China, and many others, to offer high-quality courses that learners can take for free no matter where they are. Concurrently, our partner universities are using these courses on their own campuses to offer a blended model of learning where they combine the online content and tools with in-person education, thereby creating a better experience for on-campus students as well. On-campus blended models improve learning. In fact, students are saying that this is  preferable to purely in-person form. At IIT Bombay, a survey of students doing a blended class showed 80% of them preferred the blended form.

Many international universities have signed up on the edX platform and are offering courses. How can a student in India take advantage of this? 
In India, there are a large number of students who do not have access to quality education but have the will to learn. Similarly, many universities in India (Tier 3 and 4 ones) are not fully staffed with professors. MOOCs will not only increase access to education for learners who are not in universities, but will also promote the quality of education in universities. So, MOOCs is a great alternative for those without access to schools and education. But for students who already have access to teachers and learning, online learning can improve the quality of their education by creating models in which we combine the best of online learning and the best of in-person learning. That is why I like to say that online learning is like a rising tide that lifts all boats—it’ll increase access for those who don’t have access, and will improve learning for those who do have access. 

Why do you disagree with prophesies that MOOCs will spell doom for traditional universities, campuses, and thousands of teaching jobs?
At edX, we do not believe that MOOCs will replace traditional on-campus teaching. But, we do see MOOCs as enriching college courses through blended learning and hybrid courses.  Online learning will augment in-person learning. We see MOOCs as being completely synergistic with the traditional university model. As professors and universities produce MOOCs, and run MOOCs on the edX platform, universities are also using the platform on campus for blended education. 

With edX and Coursera, online education has moved past the initial model of web-casting lectures and conducting objective-type tests. What are the innovative teaching and testing tools built into the edX platform? 
Online learning tools and technologies are advancing at a rapid pace. Today we are able to create online laboratories using virtual simulation technologies. We are also able to grade open-ended responses like essays using peer assessment and AI (artificial intelligence) assessment. With peer assessment, students grade each other’s work online. With AI assessment, we use machine learning technology to grade student work. We are also able to create cohorts in online discussion forums, where small groups of students can have more meaningful interactions.

Would you be able to offer a brief prescription on how MOOCs can be effectively deployed in India as a tool to improve access to quality education?
Some of the best institutes in the world come out of India, and we are honoured to partner with world-class Indian universities, such as IIT Bombay, BITS Pilani and IIM Bangalore. However, I do believe there is untapped talent throughout India. There is simply more demand than bricks-and-mortar institutions can accommodate at this time despite there being uniquely talented students. One example is a talented 16 year-old in India who took my MITx Circuits & Electronics course and earned an A! He is now a member of MIT’s class of 2018. Similarly, many universities, do not have adequate faculty in subjects that are important for industry jobs, such as computer science and business. MOOCs can increase access to Indians who are not in universities, but will also improve educational tools and promote the quality of education as well.